I commend [σ υ ν ι σ τ η μ ι]. See on ch. Romans 3:5. Phoebe. The bearer of the epistle. The word means bright. In classical Greek an epithet of Artemis (Diana) the sister of Phoebus Apollo. Servant [δ ι α κ ο ν ο ν]. The word may be either masculine or feminine. Commonly explained as deaconess. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
Assist [π α ρ α σ τ η τ ι]. See on Acts 1:3 It is used as a legal term, of presenting culprits or witnesses in a court of justice. Compare prove, Acts 24:13. From this, and from the term prostativ succorer, it has been inferred that Phoebe was going to Rome on private legal business (see Conybeare a... [ Continue Reading ]
Prisca and Aquila. Priscilla is the diminutive of Prisca. See Acts 18:2; Acts 18:18; Acts 18:26; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19. It is argued by some that Aquila and Priscilla must have been at Ephesus at this time, since they were there when Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 16:19, and again when he wr... [ Continue Reading ]
Who [ο ι τ ι ν ε ς]. The double relative, with an explanatory force : seeing that they. Laid down their own necks [τ ο ν ε α υ τ ω ν τ ρ α χ η λ ο ν υ π ε θ η κ α ν]. Laid down is, literally, placed under (the axe). Whether the expression is literal or figurative, or if literal, when the incident o... [ Continue Reading ]
The church that is in their house [τ η ν κ α τ ο ι κ ο ν α υ τ ω ν ε κ κ λ η σ ι α ν]. The phrase church that is in their (or his) house occurs 1 Corinthians 16:19, of Aquila and Priscilla; Colossians 4:15, of Nymphas; Philippians 1:2, of Philemon. A similar gathering may be implied in Romans 16:14;... [ Continue Reading ]
Mary (Mariam Mariam). Westcott and Hort read Marian. A Jewish name, the same as Miriam, meaning obstinacy, rebelliousness. Bestowed labor [ε κ ο π ι α σ ε ν]. See on Luke 5:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
Andronicus and Junia. The latter name may be either masculine or feminine. If the latter, the person was probably the wife of Andronicus. If the former, the name is to be rendered Junias, as Rev. The following words point to this conclusion. Kinsmen [σ υ γ γ ε ν ε ι ς]. The primary meaning is relat... [ Continue Reading ]
Amplias. A contraction of Ampliatus, which is the reading of the best texts.... [ Continue Reading ]
Urbane. The correct reading is Urbanus, city - bred. Stachys. Meaning an ear of corn.... [ Continue Reading ]
Apelles. It occurs in Horace as the name of a Jew, under the form Apella (" Satire, " 1. 5, 100). Them which are of Aristobulus' household. Possibly household slaves. They might have borne the name of Aristobulus even if they had passed into the service of another master, since household slaves thu... [ Continue Reading ]
Narcissus. This name was borne by a distinguished freedman, who was secretary of letters to Claudius. Juvenal alludes to his wealth and his influence over Claudius, and says that Messalina, the wife of Claudius, was put to death by his order (" Satire, " 14, 330). His household slaves, passing into... [ Continue Reading ]
Tryphaena and Tryphosa. From trufaw to live luxuriously. See on riot, 2 Peter 2:13. Perhaps sisters. Farrar says they are slave - names.... [ Continue Reading ]
Rufus. Meaning red. Possibly the son of Simon of Cyrene, Mark 14:21. Mark probably wrote in Rome. And mine. Delicately intimating her maternal care for him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Hermes. Or Hermas. A common slave - name, a contraction of several different names, as Hermagoras, Hermogenes, etc. 74... [ Continue Reading ]
Kiss. Compare 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
Divisions - offenses [τ α ς δ ι χ ο σ τ α σ ι α ς - τ α σ κ α ν δ α λ α] The article with each noun points to some well - known disturbances The former noun occurs only in Paul. Avoid [ε κ κ λ ι ν α τ ε]. Better, as Rev, turn aside. Not only keep out of their way, but remove from it if you fall in... [ Continue Reading ]
Belly. Compare Philippians 3:19. Good words [χ ρ η σ τ ο λ ο γ ι α ς]. Only here in the New Testament. Lit., good speaking. The compounded adjective crhs tov is used rather in its secondary sense of mild, pleasant So Rev., smooth speech. Deceive (ejxapatwsin) Better, as Rev., beguile. It is not me... [ Continue Reading ]
Simple [α κ ε ρ α ι ο υ ς]. See on harmless, Matthew 10:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
Shall bruise [σ υ ν τ ρ ι ψ ε ι]. See on Mark 5:4; Luke 9:39.... [ Continue Reading ]
Lucius and Jason - Sosipater. For Lucius, see on Acts 13:1. Jason, possibly the Jason of Acts 17:5. Sosipater, possibly the Sopater of Acts 20:4. Both names were common.... [ Continue Reading ]
I Tertius. Paul's amanuensis. See on Galatians 6:11. Wrote [γ ρ α ψ α ς]. Better Rev., write. The epistolary aorist. See on 1 John 2:13. Godet remarks upon Paul's exquisite courtesy in leaving Tertius to salute in his own name. To dictate to him his own salutation would be to treat him as a machine... [ Continue Reading ]
Gaius. See Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4; 1 Corinthians 1:14. Possibly the same in all three references. Chamberlain [ο ι κ ο ν ο μ ο ς]. See on Luke 16:1. The word appears in the New Testament in two senses : 1. The slave who was employed to give the other slaves their rations. So Luke 7:42; Luke 7:2. The... [ Continue Reading ]
This is the only epistle of Paul which closes with a doxology. The doxology (see on ch. Romans 14:23) stands at the close of this chapter in most of the very oldest MSS., and in the Peshito or Syriac and Vulgate versions. In a very few MSS. it is omitted or erased by a later hand. In many MSS. inclu... [ Continue Reading ]
To whom. God, who, through Christ, appears as "the only wise.... [ Continue Reading ]